Per Scholas

Per Scholas

Per Scholas was founded in 1995 by John G. Kennedy, initially as a small program in the South Bronx to provide technology training and career opportunities to underserved populations. The organization has since grown into a national nonprofit with a presence in over 20 cities across the United States. The organization's model focuses on delivering tuition-free technology training courses, including IT support, cybersecurity, software engineering, and cloud computing, followed by job placement services. Per Scholas works with over 1,000 employer partners—including major corporations like Accenture and JPMorgan Chase—to match graduates with entry-level and mid-level tech roles. As of 2025, it has placed over 20,000 graduates, with an average starting salary above $50,000 (per the organization's public reports). Per Scholas operates from its headquarters in Teaneck, New Jersey, and maintains a significant presence in the Bronx, New York. The organization is supported by philanthropic contributions, government grants, and corporate partnerships. In 2024, it announced a $20 million commitment from MacKenzie Scott's Yield Giving Initiative (per public record, 2024). A structural differentiator is that Per Scholas operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, not a for-profit workforce intermediary, meaning it reinvests all surplus into program expansion and participant support—including stipends, transportation, and career counseling—distinguishing it from for-profit bootcamps and staffing firms.